ABOUT THIS ALBUM

REVIEW EXCERPT (from www.NewAgeReporter.com - December 2007):
"Those of you who still turn up the car radio when you hear the opening strains of "Take Me Home, Country Roads," "Sunshine On My Shoulders" or "Rocky Mountain High" will, I'm positive, be as enchanted with Golden Eagle as I am. Powell has done a great job at retaining the familiar sound of John Denver's music while leaving no doubt (in my mind, at least) that these are his unique interpretations. Denver purists need not worry, as I can't believe any of the cover tunes travel far from what you are used to hearing. However, this is likewise not a "by-the-numbers" affair either. Above all else, what comes through loud and clear is Powell’s deep and sincere love for John Denver’s music as well as his desire to do right by him with this CD. I’d say he’s has succeeded far beyond what most would expect. In addition, the cover of the CD deserves special mention - it’s tasteful and gorgeous, from the fonts to the color scheme to the picture of the eagle. Download the recording as mp3s if that’s your preference, but I think you’ll be sorry you don’t have the "real thing" in your possession. This is a special album and I highly recommend it." --reviewed by Bill Binkelman on 12/12/2007

REVIEW EXCERPT (from www.MaineFolkMusic.com - January 2008):
"Brad Powell’s tribute album to John Denver is a séance. Powell’s enchanting guitar music, and his well-crafted arrangements, bring the spirit of this great songwriter, performer, and activist into the room vividly. The vision of John Denver that we see, however, is transmuted by the deep meaning and personal attachment that Powell obviously feels for Denver and his work.

Brad Powell is a talented and highly trained California guitarist and composer who calls himself “The Candlelight Guitarist”, and for good reason. His music is perfect for situations in which candlelight figures prominently. Quiet meditation, romance, intellectual stimulation – the soft, pure tones of his Spanish and classic instrumental style open up your heart and render it more receptive to the spiritual messages that these pursuits engender.

John Denver was a great lyricist, but for me, Denver is all about melody. ... Brad Powell brings those melodies back to us; technically, he is an expert guitarist; great tone and a masterful sense of rhythm and timing. He infuses these familiar tunes with his own interpretation of their meaning for him as an individual, and for all of us who appreciate John Denver’s music.

My favorite cut is “Calypso” ... Powell’s guitar captures the spirit of adventure, the sense of old-world informality mixed with a sense of mission, that characterized the Cousteau mystique. The gentle, affable accordion tracks by Frank Marocco (who performed with Denver in Los Angeles) and the mandolin highlights by Kenny Blackwell, help set the wonderful, optimistic mood of joy in one’s work, and in helping the world understand itself a little bit better.

At least ten other musicians contributed to this record, most of them highly regarded and experienced session musicians. Several of them recorded or performed with John Denver in various tours or events. It is obvious that Powell worked hard to find these people and bring them together, in order to weave as much of the spirit and legacy of John Denver as possible into this record.

We John Denver fans tend to connect each of his songs with significant periods or events in our lives to which they seem to have some special meaning. If you are among us, I would highly recommend that you purchase this disc. The music will bring you back to all those moments in your life when Denver seemed to have written a song just for you. Brad Powell’s guitar work frames these songs perfectly:

Evocative of the remembered moment, but seasoned with the wisdom gained in the interim."
--reviewed by Bob McKillop

Featuring "The Candlelight Guitarist and friends" (some of whom worked with Denver):
~ "Annie's Song" features cellist Caryl Paisner, who performed with John Denver on the WildLife Concert. Caryl has also recorded with Elton John, Alicia Keys, David Sanborn, Harry Connick, Jr., and many others.
~ "Take Me Home, Country Roads" features Jenny Allinder on fiddle. Jenny won the 2003 Vandalia Gathering fiddle contest. But that's nothing new... she won it in 1992 too, a year before taking the West Virginia State Folk Festival fiddle championship. This track includes an intro of Jenny and Brad performing "West Virginia Hills"--a tune composed in 1885 by Henry Everett Engle in Gilmer County, and now one of three "official" West Virginia state songs...a sweet homage to tradition in the spirit of John Denver!
~ "Calypso" features accordion great Frank Marocco, who performed with John Denver; he also recorded with The Beach Boys on "Pet Sounds," with Pink Floyd on "The Wall," on the soundtracks of hundreds of films, including "The Godfather II and III," with John Williams, and many others. Frank has twice won the N.A.R.A.S. "MVP" award.
~ percussionist Michito Sanchez, who toured with John Denver for eight years, and recorded several albums with him. Michito has also worked with Crosby, Stills & Nash, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Robert Palmer, Herbie Hancock, Placido Domingo, Luis Miguel, Glenn Frey, and many others.
~ mandolinist Kenny Blackwell. Kenny studied jazz mandolin under his musical idol, the great Jethro Burns, of Homer and Jethro fame. Kenny has worked with Linda Ronstadt, Bette Midler, Johnny Rivers, Neil Diamond, The Laurel Canyon Ramblers, and he's performed at the Grand Ol' Opry.
~ pianist Mark Massey (Stéphane Grappelli, Paul Horn, Hubert Laws).
~ woodwind player Gilberto Hildavio (Sergio Mendez, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic).
~ saxophonist Doug Webb (Carly Simon, Rod Stewart, Stanley Clarke, Art Garfunkel, Englebert Humperdinck). Doug performed live at Carnegie Hall with Clint Eastwood, and he played with Doc Severinsen's band for 13 years.
~ string bassist Ernie Nuñez (Brian Setzer, Les Brown).
~ drummer Joey Cataldo (TV shows The Gilmore Girls, Friends, Seinfeld, and many film soundtracks).

Brad Powell (aka "The Candlelight Guitarist") has long been inspired and influenced by John Denver, since performing "Leaving On A Jet Plane" in a school choir at age 14. A month after first seeing Denver perform in 1973, Brad drove from L.A. to Aspen to experience the Rocky Mountains. As an aspiring composer, he met and was influenced by Lee Holdridge, who was John's musical director. In 1984, Brad met John Denver and saw his genuine caring attitude and inspiration close-up. Denver's ecclectic style, bridging folk & roots music, classical influences, pop and country, plus his purposeful message of hope, love, concern for humanity and the environment, have greatly influenced Brad.

Brad was teenage protege of jazz guitarist Joe Pass, and later studied classical guitar from Vincenzo Macaluso, with master classes at CSUN under Dr. Ronald Purcell and Andres Segovia. Twice featured at the Hollywood Bowl, performing Gerald Wilson's "Sonata for Guitar and Orchestra" with the composer conducting, and also under the baton of Richard Carpenter, performing a suite of Carpenters' hits, Brad lives in a small mountain town in California.

The cover "golden eagle" artwork was painted specially for this CD by award-winning wildlife artist Toni Watts, herself a John Denver fan, in Lincolnshire, UK.

Brad is such a gifted writer. In all his music, grand and pensive, upbeat and mellow, inspiring and calming, his own life shines through. With dedication he lives the words that he speaks; his music reflects the same. Thanks, Brad, for letting your light shine for all to see and hear. I count it a privilege to know you, my friend!

Brad Powell ~ the Candlelight Guitarist ~ does a warm, genuinely thoughtful job of showcasing both his own masterful musicianship, as well as John Denver's exquisitely sublime gift for songwriting in this fully-focused, heartwarming tribute. Everything about it shines. From the cover art on through every single melodic refrain, not to mention the stellar cast of contributing artists equally dedicated to honoring JD both in song and essence.

"The Eagle & The Hawk", "Take Me Home, Country Roads", "Annie's Song", "My Sweet Lady", these are the stand-out tracks in my opinion, but to each will be his own. Admittedly, "My Sweet Lady" was, at first listen, almost unnervingly haunting for me, what with those added sounds of waves hushing upon the shore blended into both it's opening and closing...

This much is certain, if you appreciate John Denver (or have yet to discover him fully), you will find Brad's gracious interpretations of some of his finest gems authentic and stirring and over-all enjoyable. Even JD himself I think would take heart from this eloquent sound perspective of his material ~ as he so enjoyed inciting and encouraging others toward their own most positive expression. Their own best creative impact upon the world.

Beyond capturing solely the chords, Brad succeeds in capturing some of that enduring JD spirit that remains an abiding inspiration for so many people. Thank you Brad, my friend ~ this is a beautiful tribute!